Best Beekeeping For Newbees Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 162 – What to Expect When You’re Expecting… Bees 🐝🍼 30:35

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11d ago30:35

30:35

Thinking about starting beekeeping next spring? This lighthearted but information-packed episode walks you through the full “gestation” process, from the initial idea of getting bees to the big delivery day. Whether you're still dreaming or already placing your order, we’ll break the season into trimesters and help you prepare every step of the way…

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Episode 161 – Beekeeping Myths, Course Updates, and 2026 Experiments 🧪🐝 50:03

15d ago50:03

50:03

What’s the real deal with summer ventilation hacks? Should you remove entrance reducers? In this episode, I break down some bad advice floating around YouTube, walk through key updates to the online course platform, and share the growing list of experiments I’ll be running in 2026. If you’ve noticed fewer uploads lately, there’s a reason for that t…

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Episode 160 – Alternative Hive Types: Top Bar, Horizontal, and Warre Explained 🐝📦 43:11

21d ago43:11

43:11

In this episode, we take a closer look at some of the most common alternatives to the Langstroth hive, including Top Bar, Horizontal (Long Langstroth and Layens), and Warre hives. Each of these styles offers something different, from lower lifting demands to more natural comb construction. We cover how they work, who they’re best suited for, and wh…

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Episode 159 – Honey Extraction Methods: What to Know Before You Harvest 🍯🐝 44:28

1M ago44:28

44:28

In this episode, we walk through practical honey extraction methods for beekeepers of all levels. If you're new to harvesting or just looking to improve your setup, this episode covers when and how to take honey, how to test moisture content, what to avoid during treatment windows, and how to extract honey with or without expensive equipment. We’ll…

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Episode 158 – Used Gear, Swarm Trap Timing & What to Ask When Buying Bees 🐝📦 34:15

1M ago34:15

34:15

In this episode, we cover a few important topics to help you avoid major headaches in your beekeeping journey. 🐝 What’s Inside This Episode: Why the presence of a queen cell doesn't mean “do a split” How to avoid disaster when buying used gear (AFB risks) Best practices for moving bees out of swarm traps When it's safe to relocate, and how long to …

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Episode 157 – The Hazards of the Walkaway Split: Timing, Risks & Real Talk 🐝⏳ 23:40

1M ago23:40

23:40

Thinking of doing a walkaway split? Before you divide that colony, hit play. In this episode, we break down why timing is everything — especially as the summer dearth sets in. Inspired by a real listener question, we walk through what a walkaway split is, how it works, and why it might be one of the riskiest moves you can make during a seasonal lul…

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Episode 156 – Comb Control: Who Builds It, When They Do, and What to Watch For 🐝🧱 37:42

2M ago37:42

37:42

In this episode, we dive into the what, who, when, where, why, and how of honeycomb production. You'll learn how wax gets made, when bees choose to build it, what types of foundation help or hinder that process, and how to manage common comb problems — from burr and brace comb to the dreaded “wonky comb.” We also get into frame spacing habits, foun…

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Episode 155 – From Egg to Emergence: Understanding Bee Development Timelines 🐣🐝 31:51

2M ago31:51

31:51

Ever wonder how long it takes for a queen to emerge? Or why drones take longer to develop than workers? In this deep-dive episode, we break down the full development cycle of honey bee castes — workers, drones, and queens — from egg to emergence. You’ll learn what happens during each stage, how nutrition influences caste, and why understanding thes…

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Episode 154 – Memorial Day & The Healing Hive Project: Honoring Sacrifice, Building Purpose 🇺🇸🐝 22:04

2M ago22:04

22:04

On this Memorial Day, we pause to reflect on the meaning of service, sacrifice, and the families who carry that burden. In this special episode, Jeff shares his own story of military transition, how beekeeping became a source of healing, and why he's launching a new nonprofit: The Healing Hive Project. This initiative will create a retreat and trai…

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Episode 153 – Surviving the Dearth: Feeding, Fighting Robbers, and Managing Mites 37:09

2M ago37:09

37:09

The nectar flow doesn't last forever, and when it ends, things can get tough. In this episode, we talk about how to recognize the start of a summer dearth, how to feed bees without triggering robbing, and how to use this broodless period to crush your mite population. You'll also hear what not to do with syrup feeders (Jeff's mistake was gross), an…

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Episode 152 – The Bee Buzz (27): Spring Beekeeping Q&A 🐝 35:39

2M ago35:39

35:39

We wrap up our three-part Bee Buzz Q&A series with a big one — covering everything from screen bottom boards and queen excluders to robbing behavior, swarm cells, spring mite counts, aggressive bees, and more. Plus, a quick family update from graduation weekend, a pickup mission to Kentucky, and the latest with Howard the cat (who now demands an in…

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Episode 151 – The Bee Buzz (26): Spring Splits, Queen Cells, and What Went Wrong in Kentucky 🐝🚗 43:45

2M ago43:45

43:45

We’re back with The Bee Buzz! In this episode, I recap a wild cross-country trip that ended in a busted transmission, a used car purchase, and the world's best Applebee’s salmon. Then we jump into your beekeeping questions. What’s Inside This Episode: Weekly inspections vs bi-weekly: what you risk by skipping Reversing boxes vs adding space — what …

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Episode 150 – The Bee Buzz (25): Spring Feeding, Hive Health, & Q&A 🐝📬 44:13

3M ago44:13

44:13

The Bee Buzz is back! After a long break, we’re reviving this listener-favorite format where we answer your questions directly. From feeding bees in spring, to how much honey is enough to get through winter, to deciding when to add a second brood box—we’re covering a huge range of practical Q&A topics in this special milestone episode. What’s Insid…

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Episode 149 – Feeding Bees: When, What, and How Much 🍯🐝 36:09

3M ago36:09

36:09

Feeding bees is one of the most misunderstood topics in beekeeping. In this episode, we talk about when you should feed, what you should feed (syrup, patties, honey frames, and more), and how much is enough. Whether you're managing packages, nucs, or full colonies, this episode will help you feed with purpose, not just habit. What’s Inside This Epi…

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Episode 148 – Smooth Moves: Relocating Bee Colonies the Right Way 🌸🐝 28:45

3M ago28:45

28:45

In this episode, we talk about the right (and wrong) ways to move bees to a new location. Whether you’re relocating a hive two miles or two hundred, learn how to minimize stress, avoid major bee loss, and keep your colonies thriving. Plus, updates on swarm season and new traps at the property! 🐝 What’s Inside This Episode: How far honey bees can re…

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Episode 147 – Understanding Bee Roles and Behavior 🧠🐝 32:12

3M ago32:12

32:12

In this episode, we dive deep into how honey bee colonies are structured and why understanding bee behavior can make you a calmer, more effective beekeeper. We cover the different castes of bees, what drives their daily decisions, how pheromones regulate everything inside the hive, and tips to work with your bees, not against them. What’s Inside Th…

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Episode 146 – Bees in the News (27): Swarms, Rooftop Honey & Bee Yoga?! 🐝🗞️ 12:23

3M ago12:23

12:23

From pub patio swarms in England to rooftop hives in Chicago—and even yoga sessions with bees—this Bees in the News installment covers the weird, the wonderful, and the just plain “what?” in the world of bees. What’s Inside This Episode: A 3,000-bee swarm descends on a British pub mid-pint Chicago hotel rooftop bees add sweetness to guest stays New…